Report: Embattled MonDak coach, Grenora superintendent resigns

According to a story in the Williston Herald, Westby-Grenora football coach and Grenora (N.D.) Public School District superintendent Troy Walters has resigned, effective June 30, and the school district has agreed not to pursue further legal action against him.

The district will no longer be able to seek any further restitution beyond the $2,830 he’s already repaid to the district, nor will the district be able to file any complaints with any state agencies or to seek criminal charges against Walters.

Troy Walters at the Tuesday, April 30, special meeting of the Grenoa Public School District No. 99 board meeting.(Photo: Jamie Kelly/Williston Herald)

The discharge for cause proceedings against Walters have also been dismissed.

The decision by the district to accept Walters’ resignation during a special school board meeting Tuesday was unanimous. Walters, who admitted no wrongdoing in the agreement, will go on paid administrative leave May 18 – the day after Grenora High School holds its graduation – until his resignation takes effect and his contract expires June 30.

Walters has until noon on the 18th to turn in school property. He is also to surrender possession of a house owned by the district when his contract expires.

Herald editor Jamie Kelly, who has covered this story since it first broke, said Walters has also resigned as head coach of the Westby-Grenora MonDak Thunder football team. Walters, who was coach of the co-op since its’ inception, guided the Thunder to the Montana Six-Man Football state championship in 2017.

The agreement was written and submitted to the board by Walters’ attorney, Thomas Kelsch. The board did not discuss details of the agreement during public session, meeting in executive session with Amy Clark, the attorney representing the school district, according to the Herald.

The May 1 signing of the agreement between Walters and Grenora school board president Lavern Johnson comes one month after the board met to consider removing Walters from his post after allegations of misconduct.

An attorney hired by the school district filed a report which said Walters spent district money on himself, used district vehicles for personal purposes and intimidated school employees so they wouldn’t participate in the investigation.

Walters, through Kelsch, has denied all of the charges and has accused the lawyer, Meredith Vukelic, of bias.

The school district, as outlined in the agreement and reported by the Herald, must:

Withdraw their claim with the North Dakota State Bonding Fund;

Request that law enforcement discontinue or dismiss any criminal investigation against Walters;

In a joint press release, say the discharge for cause proceeding against Walters have been dismissed, and that he would be on paid leave from May 18 until June 30, when his contract ends; and

Drops any further restitution claims against Walters.

The agreement also states that both parties understand that law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are the only ones who can continue or terminate a criminal investigation, and that the district will provide any factual information requested by law enforcement.